Coping with our Sins
The Days of Awe have a few central themes. Sin, return, charity, kindness, and G-d’s Omnipotence, to name a few. According to tradition, most individuals enter this holiday period with their life in the balance. What can we do to tip the scales of justice in our favor?
The standard recipe: increase the fervor of our prayers, ask for forgiveness, give charity to the poor and needy, and evaluate how we can get closer to G-d. For many of us the ephemeral nature of HaShem obscures the path to cleaving to his presence. Our sages teach that the Yomin Noraim represent a time when HaShem leaves the heavenly courts and descends to an earthly throne where he sits waiting for us to approach. However, for most of us, aside from changing the words of our prayers, the route to this throne is anything but clear.
Mankind was created as a Tzelem Elokim, that is in the image of G-d. Thus, each and every one of his creations should epitomize godly traits. Perhaps the pathway to closeness to G-d must begin by becoming closer to our fellow man. While the direct road to HaShem is concealed to all but the very few, many options exist to establish relationships with others that will utilize the characteristics ascribed to Hashem. By being righteous people, and manifesting honesty and integrity in dealing with others, we are following a prescription put forth by the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto) to achieve closeness to HaShem. Integrity, when associated with actions of a Jew, raises both the awareness and appreciation of our G-d in the eyes of his creations. By striving for purity of thought and speech in our interactions with others we manifest traits associated with holiness. By giving charity and helping our neighbors in need, we represent the kindness of HaShem who will be perceived as a G-d of love who feels responsible for her people.
In the Path of the Just, the Ramchal lays out a roadmap for achieving closeness (devekut) to our Maker. It starts with study of his Torah which provides us with the spiritual and ethical foundations for our decision making. When we do a mitzvah or an act of kindness, we should have the intention to satisfy HaShem’s will. When we perform normal physical activities like eating or working, we should see these in the context of the spirituality that we seek to achieve. Our goal should always be to act, as would HaShem, in our relationships with our surroundings and our neighbors. Ultimately, by emulating the Almighty, we begin to close the gap between us as physical mortals and our Creator who is an infinite omniscient immortal spirit.
As we prepare for Yom Kippur amidst the constant crises confronting Jews in Israel and across the globe, we must be cognizant that it is in our hands to make our country and the world a better place. Yes, as described by the mathematician Edward Lorenz the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can trigger immense events in faraway places. Paraphrasing the words of Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, single acts of kindness or morality can lead to unpredictable progressive changes in the World. We and the World come into the High Holidays seeking the ultimate judgement. The Maimonidean concept is that the entire World stands in balance on the scales of justice. By executing one commendable act or fulfilling one commandment, we can nudge the needle on this scale to the positive side and result in the inscription for a year of life, peace and tranquility. We should commit to make this happen.
